Tacoma's Minimum Wage Changes in 2018

Tacoma's Paid Sick Leave Changes in 2018

Tacoma employers and workers are reaching out to us with questions about the impacts of voter-approved Washington State Initiative 1433, which relates to statewide paid sick leave and minimum wage. In order to align City law with the State's new paid sick leave requirements, amendments to Tacoma Municipal Code (TMC) Chapter 18.10 “Paid Sick Leave” were adopted on September 26, 2017. The amended City law and associated rules took effect on January 1, 2018.

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Any emerging news on City of Tacoma Employment Standards, including updates on the public rules process, will be shared via our e-newsletter. Subscribe to Employment Standards email updates here. Our office is your resource for all questions or concerns related to Tacoma’s Employment Standards. We continue to provide assistance through our website, by email and by phone at (253) 591-5306.

An Overview of Tacoma's two Employment Standards

The Paid Sick Leave law took effect on February 1, 2016, allowing Tacoma workers to earn paid time off from work for reasons related to health, safety, and family care. The law was updated to align with State law, effective January 1, 2018.

In November 2015, voters approved Tacoma’s second city employment standard: A $12 per hour minimum wage to be phased in over two years. Beginning January 1, 2018, the Tacoma minimum wage increased to $12.00.

Employees who will work more than 80 hours per year within the city limits of Tacoma (including full-time, part-time, seasonal, and temporary workers) are covered by the city's minimum employment standards. There are no exceptions based on the size of the employer.